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Cosine Ratio Problems

In these lessons, we will learn how to find the angles and sides using the cosine ratio and how to solve word problems using the cosine ratio.

Related Topics: More Trigonometry Lessons

Hints on solving trigonometry problems:

  • If no diagram is given, draw one yourself.
  • Mark the right angles in the diagram.
  • Mark the angles or sides you have to calculate.
  • Decide whether you will need Pythagoras theorem, sine, cosine or tangent.
  • Check that your answer is reasonable. The hypotenuse is the longest side in a right triangle.
The following figure shows how to use SOHCAHTOA to decide whether to use sine, cosine or tangent in a given problem. Scroll down the page for examples and solutions.

SOHCAHTOA problems


cosine problem

Calculate the value of cos θ in the following triangle.


Use Pythagoras’ theorem to evaluate the length of PR.

Find Missing Sides

Geometry - Math worksheet - Find the missing length of a triangle using the cosine function
This video shows you how to find the missing length of a triangle using the cosine function. We are given a right triangle and two side lengths and a missing length. We show a right triangle and label the hypotenuse, and two legs the opposite side and adjacent side according to their relation to theta. How to find the length of a side of a triangle using cosine?
Step 1: Figure out which trigonometric ratio to use
Step 2: Evaluate

Find Missing Angles

Trigonometry : using SOHCAHTOA to find missing angles. Trig Ratios - SOH - CAH - TOA - Find missing Angle - Using Inverse Sine, Cosine

Cosine Word Problems

Trigonometric Functions To Find Unknown Sides of Right Triangles,
This video uses information about the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle as well as a trig function to find the length of a missing side.
A 60 ft ladder is leaning against a wall so that the top of the ladder makes a 15-degree angle with the wall. How high up the wall does the ladder reach?
How to Use Cosine to Solve a Word Problem?
A ramp is pulled out of the back of truck. There is a 38 degrees angle between the ramp and the pavement.If the distance from the end of the ramp to to the back of the truck is 10 feet. How long is the ramp?
Step 1: Find the values of the givens
Step 2: Substitute the values into the cosine ratio
Step 3: Solve for the missing side
Step 4: Write the units
Trigonometry Word Problems
1. An airplane over the Pacific sights an atoll at a 20° angle of depression. If the plane is 435 m above water, how many kilometers is it from a point 435 m directly above the center of the atoll?

2. To find the height of a pole, a surveyor moves 70 feet away from the base of the pole and then, with a transit 2 feet tall, measures the angle of elevation to the top of the poleto be 30°. What is the height of the pole to the nearest foot?

3. A ladder 16 feet long makes an angle of 35° with the ground as it leans against a store. To the nearest hundredth, how far up the store does the ladder reach?



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